Senior Information Fall 2015

RHS Student Services Website Http://rhswildcatsstudentservices.weebly.com PLEASE USE IT! THERE IS A TON OF USEFUL INFORMATION!

Graduation Requirements English I, II, III, & IV Algebra I/Math I, Geometry/Math II, Algebra II/Math III & a 4th Math Class World History, Turning Points or American History I, AP US History or American History II, & Civics Health & PE 6 Electives 2—from CTE, Arts, World Languages or a combination 4– from a CTE Cluster or Concentration Graduation Project CPR Certified

What Admission offices look at? Grade Point Average Class Rank Class Load/Difficulty SAT/ACT Scores High School/Community Involvement Letters of Recommendation/Essays *Not all colleges have the same admission standards. * **Specific Majors/Programs may have different admission requirements.**

What do I need to be doing during my Senior Year? Continue to keep grades up & study! Come to school! AVOID SENIORITIS! Get Involved at the School or within the Community Get Organized…create a calendar with deadlines for applications, scholarships, financial aid, and testing! Get a folder to keep up with academic/other accomplishments Register, prepare, and take SAT/ACT tests needed or any other college placement testing! Be sure to send the scores directly to the school as they are not on transcript! Research & Apply To---potential colleges/schools (at least 3) & scholarships FAFSA & Financial Aid Information

High School/Community Involvement Demonstrate initiative, creativity, commitment, & leadership! Where you can set yourself apart from other applicants! Make yourself “Marketable!” Networking Potential references Job Leads Scholarship Opportunities Etc Scholarships ROTC Scholarships—December 1st SAT Scholarship—Hours have to be complete by January 31st 3.5 GPA, ACT Score of 23 or SAT Score of 1100 (reading & math), and 100 community service hours

SAT Information http://sat.collegeboard.org/home Test Dates Registration Dates Late Registration Dates October 3 September 3 September 22 November 7 October 9 October 27 December 5 November 5 November 23 Cost is $52.50. Late Registration Fee is $28. Local Test Site: JACKSONVILLE HS

ACT Information http://www.actstudent.org/ Test Dates Registration Date Late Registration Date October 24 September 18 October 2 December 12 November 6 November 20 Cost: $39.50 without writing; $56.50 with writing Local Test Site: New Bern or Wilmington

College Choices Narrow down your list. Think about your major/minor that you are interested in. Visits—”Fit & Feel” Things to consider: size, community, affiliation, location, housing, student body, academic environment, financial aid, support services, activities/clubs, athletics, specialized programs Meet with College Representatives Visit Forms are in guidance. Check out Questions that you should be ready to answer—on website! Check out Questions that you should ask at a college—on website! Carry transcript & resume with you! Sample Resume—on website! College Night October 14th 6-8 at American Legion Building

Why Early Deadlines? High School Seniors are lazy & procrastinate! Also the deadline for many school based scholarships! Also…gives you the chance to apply to your 1st and 2nd choices…if you get waitlisted or don’t get it—this gives you time to apply to others!

Early graduation? Late Entry? Early Release? Don’t do it! Colleges don’t like it! In fact, they DISCOURAGE it! They would like to see you take more HONORS, AP, & COLLEGE/CAREER PROMISE Classes! They want to see a “RIGOROUS” course load! Don’t believe us…call the admissions office & speak to a counselor!

Applications Most applications are done online! Use your CORRECT/ALL of your name! Know your STUDENT NUMBER & SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER! Do transcripts electronically if possible! Request them early! Use transcript manager at CFNC.org if NC College/School Send.edu School reports & recommendations—give at least a 2 week notice & follow up! Review questions & essays thoroughly—even have teachers proof them! Make extra copies of your applications. Follow up with colleges to ensure that they have received all necessary documentation.

https://www.cfnc.org/static/pdf/home/sc/pdf/admissions_ deadlines.pdf Admission deadlines https://www.cfnc.org/static/pdf/home/sc/pdf/admissions_ deadlines.pdf

FREE COLLEGE APPLICATION WEEK November 2-6, 2015 Davidson College* Mars Hill University Shaw University Belmont Abbey College Greensboro College Meredith College St. Andrews University Bennett College Guilford College Methodist University University of Mount Olive Brevard College Johnson C. Smith University Montreat College Campbell University Lenoir-Rhyne University Wingate University Catawba College Livingstone College Pfeiffer University Queens University Chowan University Louisburg College Salem College William Peace University North Carolina Wesleyan College

We are 3-D People. Make yourself “SHINE!” How do we do that? Essays Cover Letters Resumes Recommendations/References Interviews

Potential Essay Questions Give at least one example of your academic motivation and/or potential. What will you bring to a college campus that’s unique? How will college make you different from the person you are today? Are there any particular circumstances, school experiences, or persons influencing your preparation/motivation to attend college or a particular position? List 4 adjectives or phrases that describe you and explain. Describe your family (occupations and educations of family, financial situation, relationships with family, etc). Which of your extracurricular activities has been the most important to you and why? Have there been any circumstances that have affected your academic performance and/or personal development?

Potential Essay Questions Describe your relationship with your peers? How would your peers describe you? Give two examples of comments that your believe a teacher would make about you. Is there any other information that you have not included, that would be relevant to your application.

Interview Skills First Impressions Count… Technical Skills Soft Skills Be On-Time or EARLY Dress professionally Make appropriate Physical/Eye Contact Smile Don’t fidget! Technical Skills Attention to detail Computer Skills Analytical Skills Specific to your degree Soft Skills Adaptability Teamwork Initiative Innovation Integrity Follow-Up Thank You Note References

Decisions & Things to Do: Acceptance Letters & Financial Aid packages need to be compared. Decide on a college and notify the others of your decision so that they can move down waiting list. Prepare for final transcript to be sent to school. Complete ALL other necessary paperwork for college (scheduling, orientation, placement testing, housing, financial aid, etc). Pay 1st tuition bill!

CFNC Representative/Presentation We are looking at having a Parent Night in November or December with a CFNC Representative here to do a presentation on Financial Aid. Please be on the lookout for the Date & Time!

Questions Please ASK your HOMEROOM Teacher or come by the GUIDANCE Office! **We will have an Q & A session next week.** The ONLY DUMB question is the one NOT ASKED!